The NBA is becoming a young man’s game. Even though the NBA changed the age eligibility rules a few years back, many of the game’s best players are coming to the professional ranks after only a year or two of NCAA or European experience. Last year I compiled my first annual list of the 10 Best NBA Players in the Association Under Age 23(2009), which was filled with names like Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, and Rajon Rondo. Many of those players continue to build on there resume as they now creep into their mid 20’s, meaning a number of new players have cracked this year’s list.
Why twenty three? Most of the NBA’s current crop of superstars like Lebron, Kobe, and D. Wade are in the late 20’s to early 30’s. We all remember back in the late 80’s when Magic and Bird passed the torch on to Michael Jordan. This is the list of players that our current stars will, or already have started to pass that torch onto, within the next 5 years. Players who haven’t yet played an NBA game(like this years draft class) were not included. If you think that I missed someone or have an opinion, please leave a comment.
#10 – Stephen Curry(Age 22)
Golden State Warriors
‘09-’10 Stats: 17.5 ppg, 5.9 ast, 4.5 rebs, 1.9 stl, .437 3 PT%, .885 FT%
As arguably one of the most celebrated mid-major collegiate players ever, Curry shined in his first season as an NBA player. Despite not getting major minutes at the beginning of the season, Curry came on strong to finish 2nd in last year’s NBA Rookie of the Year voting behind a stellar 2nd half of the season which featured a number of individual, team, and league-wide accolades. He set a career high in scoring with a 42 point regular season finale, broke the NBA record for most 3 point shots made by a rookie(166), and led all rookies with 5 30 point-10 assist games, finishing 3rd in the league behind Lebron James and Dwyane Wade. He also notched his first ever triple-double with 36 pts, 13 ast, and 10 rebounds in February and nearly finished with a quadruple-double with 27 pts, 14 ast, 8 rebs, and 7stls in coach Don Nelson’s record setting 1,333 win as a head coach. He was a unanimous selection to the 2010 NBA All Rookie 1st team and was a key contributor off the bench for the Gold Medal winning USA Basketball squad this Summer at FIBA World Championships in Turkey. As a 22 year old experienced rookie, Stephen hit the ground running in his rookie season and is poised to make a big jump on the list come next season.
Check out Stephen Curry’s Rookie Highlights:
9 – OJ Mayo (Age 22)
Memphis Grizzlies
‘09-’10 Stats: 17.5 ppg, 3.8 rebs, 3 ast, 1.2 stl, .383 3 PT%
Despite what many deem as a disappointing or just mediocre 2nd season in the Association, OJ remains as one of the future stars on the horizon. After finishing 2nd to Derrick Rose in the ‘09 NBA Rookie of the Year voting and scoring 30 points on 7 occasions in his rookie campaign, Mayo set new career highs in FG%(.458) and steals(1.2), while notching a new personal career high in scoring with a 40 point effort against the Nuggets last November. In January of this year, his former collegiate team, the USC Trojans, were forced to vacate all 21 of their wins in his lone season on campus after it was revealed that he was deemed ineligible over his receiving improper benefits as a HS recruit. With all of that behind him, Mayo now looks to challenge for a Western Conference All Star nod in ‘2011 as one of the few select players endorsed by the Jordan Brand.
Check out OJ Mayo’s ‘09-’10 Highlight Mix:
8 – Russell Westbrook (Age 21)
OKC Thunder
‘09-’10 Stats: 16.1 ppg, 8 ast, 4.9 rebs, 1.3 stl
Despite not getting much national attention as a HS senior, Westbrook made the most of his two seasons at UCLA, averaging 12.7 ppg and 4.3 assists as a sophomore. He was selected as the #4 pick by the then Seattle Supersonics in the ‘08 NBA Draft. Westbrook quickly developed into the point guard that teammate Kevin Durant needed by earning a spot on the ‘09 NBA All Rookie Team and finished 4th in the ROY voting by averaging and impressive 15.3 ppg, 5.3 ast, and 1.3 stls. In February and March of his rookie season, he set career highs in scoring with 34 points vs the Kings and notched his first ever triple-double with 17 pts, 10 rebs, and 10 ast, making him the first rookie to do so since Chris Paul in ‘05-’06. Always known as an elite level defensive player, Russell worked hard on his ball-handling skills and shooting to establish career highs in assists(8.0) and FG%(.418) last year, in addition to upping his scoring average to 16.1 ppg. USA Basketball took notice, as he made one of the final roster spots on the team that competed at FIBA Worlds, even playing a vital role in helping USA win the gold medal.
Check out Russell Westbrook’s Career Mix:
7 – Eric Gordon (Age 21)
LA Clippers
‘09-’10 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 3 ast, 1.1 stl, .371% 3 PT
After ranking as the #2 player in the ‘07 HS Class, Gordon instantly became a Big Ten villain as a freshman after de-committing late from Illinois and instead deciding to play for Kelvin Sampson at Indiana. As expected, he was outstanding in his lone season with the Hoosiers, leading the conference in scoring, earning a 1st team All Big 10 nod, as well as being named a 3rd Team All American. He was chosen as the #7 pick in the ’08 NBA Draft by the Clippers and although Eric scored at a rate of more than 16 ppg as a rookie, he earned a 2nd Team All Rookie selection. He projects as an elite level scorer and 3 point shooter since in January of ’09, he set an LA Clippers rookie record by scoring a career high of 41 points. Last season he also set career highs in scoring, assists, and steals as he finished 2nd on the Clips in scoring behind only Chris Kaman, and helped earn a gold medal at FIBA Worlds as a member of USA Basketball. Eric remains one of the league’s brightest young talents and should be a Western All Star candidate as soon as next season.
Check out Eric Gordon’s ‘09-’10 Season Mix:
6 – Brook Lopez ( Age 22)
NJ Nets
‘09-’10 Stats: 16.9 ppg, 3 ast, 2.6 rebs, 1 stl, .371 3 PT%
Brook finished up a stellar HS career in Fresno, California ranked as a Top 10 player in the ‘06 Class along with Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, and Thaddeus Young. After earning ‘06 McDonalds All American honors, Brook starred alongside his brother Robin at Stanford as one of the best big men in the country, garnering a 3rd Team NCAA All American Selection. The NJ Nets made him the #10 overall pick in the ‘08 NBA Draft and took over the starting center position after an injury sustained to incumbent starter Josh Boone. Brook took full advantage by averaging 13 ppg, 8 rebs, and 1.9 blks in his rookie campaign, even finishing 4th in the entire league in blocks(154). In his 2nd full season, Brook proved that he is well on his way to becoming a dominant big man, establishing career highs in scoring(18.8), rebounds(8.6), assists(2.3), and FT%(.817) and was a near miss as an Eastern Conference All Star. Only an injury during the selection process kept Lopez off of the USA squad competing in Turkey, but better things are on the horizon. He should be a lock for 20 pts-10 reb- 2 blk on any given night, and should be the 2nd center selected to represent the East behind Dwight Howard in this year’s All Star Game.
Check out a career highlight mix of Brook Lopez:
Check back soon for our #5 through #1 selections. Who you got for your Top 5?
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
